NAPERVILLE, Ill. – Monday afternoon marked the final game of the 2022 portion of the season for the Concordia University Chicago (CUC) women's basketball team. The Cougars (6-4) took a short bus ride to North Central College, for a non-conference bout with the Cardinals (4-7). The Cardinals' late-game scoring and relentless three-point shooting couldn't be contained, as CUC lost 83-74.
Inside the Box Score:
- Katherine Benes led the Cougars in scoring with 22 points. She now has eight 20+ point games this season.
- Senior Jaylene Wade led the Cougars shooting 3 of 5 from behind 3-point line, with 19 points. She finished the game hitting six of her last seven shots.
- Mikalah Ellis (11 points) and Jada Dixon (10 points) set new scoring season-highs.
Both teams traded buckets in the first quarter. CUC's first came on a 3-pointer from Jaida Dixon. The senior played one of her best games of the season with a season-high 10 points, along with seven rebounds. Kate Benes, who came into the game as the NCAA Division III leader in points-per-game, displayed her athleticism early with her first bucket of the night. She finished the game with 22 points.
North Central shot 40% from the field in the quarter, while CUC went 6 of 20, with only two 3- pointers. The Cougars were able to lock down the Cardinals in the closing minutes, only trailing 16-15 after one quarter of play.
The second quarter is when the Cardinals started to distance themselves. CUC struggled making baskets and containing North Central starters Allison Pearson and Megan McClure. The duo combined for 54 points in the game. Trailing 31-25,
Mikalah Ellis took matters into her own hands with a coast-to-coast drive that gave CUC some energy before halftime. North Central hit a few more shots, and went into the locker room with a 41-29 lead.
CUC responded in the third with one of their best quarters this season. The Cougars outscored the Cardinals 23-7.
Jaylene Wade started catching fire from 3-point land and Ellis did too. As a team, CUC shot went 9 for 17 from the field, and led 52-48 going into the final quarter.
CUC built their lead up to seven points with 7:52 remaining in the game. North Central countered with a series of 3-pointers. Pearson tied the game with a three at 65-65 with 4:56 left. She ended the quarter going a perfect 4 for 4 from deep. The Cardinals outscored CUC 35-22 in the quarter, despite the Cougars' aggressive defense. North Central won 83-74 and snapped the Cougars' four-game win streak.
The Cougars return to action in 2023 at home on Jan. 4 against Dominican University. Tip-off from Geiseman Gymnasium is scheduled for 7 p.m. Coverage of the game and everything CUC women's basketball can be found at cucougars.com.
